Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

Do you have what it takes to become a dynamic leader and change yourself and the world?

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where you develop your skills as a leader while having fun and making connections.

What are the benefits?

Connect with leaders in your community and around the world to:

Build communication and problem-solving skills

Discover strategies for becoming a dynamic leader in your school or community

Learn from community leaders, inspirational speakers, and peer mentors

Unlock your potential to turn motivation into action

Have fun and form lasting friendships

What’s involved?

RYLA events are organized locally by Rotary clubs and districts for participants ages 14-30. Depending on community needs, RYLA may take the form of a one-day seminar, a three-day retreat, or a weeklong camp. Typically, events last 3-10 days and include presentations, activities, and workshops covering a variety of topics.

Your community might host a RYLA event for secondary school students to hone their leadership potential, for university students to develop creative problem-solving strategies, or for young professionals to learn ethical business practices.

How can I participate?

RYLA participants are nominated by local Rotary clubs. Contact your local Rotary club to find out more about RYLA events in your area, how to apply, and any costs of getting involved.

United States

RYLA in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, USA, challenged more than 80 students to participate in outdoor activities that developed team building, problem solving, and communication.

England

Outside of Warwickshire, England, RYLA participants learned to work together to accomplish a task and build trust.

Sweden

In Helsingborg, Sweden, students from around the world learned from community leaders how to find solutions to everyday challenges.

Malawi

Two teams of young leaders in Malawi worked together in a race against other teams to complete challenges that required teamwork and communication.